Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3–5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Detect tomato allergies with high-sensitivity ImmunoCAP technology
- Skip doctor visits — order directly without prescription in most states
- Get fast results — comprehensive report within 3-5 days
- Prevent reactions — identify triggers before severe symptoms occur
- Make informed choices — guide dietary decisions with objective data
- Maintain privacy — confidential testing results delivered directly to online account
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing skin reactions after tomato exposure
- People with respiratory symptoms following tomato consumption
- Those with digestive issues potentially linked to tomatoes
- Anyone suspecting nightshade sensitivities (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant)
- Individuals planning allergy management or immunotherapy
- People wanting preventive screening for food allergens
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - No physician referral needed; schedule at your convenience
- Visit a lab - Get a simple blood draw at any participating location
- Get results - Receive results securely online within 3-5 days
FAQ
What does this test measure? It measures allergen-specific IgE antibodies to tomato proteins in your blood serum.
How accurate is this test? Uses ImmunoCAP FEIA technology with high sensitivity and specificity for reliable results (Mayo Clinic 2025).
Can I eat tomatoes if results are borderline? Borderline results require clinical evaluation — consult an allergist for interpretation and management advice.
Will this test predict reaction severity? Higher IgE levels indicate stronger sensitization, but clinical assessment is needed for severity prediction (MedlinePlus 2024).
Do I need to avoid tomatoes before testing? No dietary restrictions required — continue normal eating habits before your blood draw.
Can cooked tomatoes still cause reactions? Some people tolerate processed tomatoes better, but allergic individuals may react to both raw and cooked forms.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test detects and quantifies IgE antibodies specific to tomato allergens, helping confirm tomato allergy as the cause of allergic symptoms. The fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA) technology provides objective measurement of your immune system's sensitization to tomato proteins (Mayo Clinic 2025).
Who would benefit from this test?
Individuals experiencing allergic symptoms like rash, swelling, or respiratory issues after tomato exposure benefit most from this test. It's particularly valuable for those needing to identify food allergens for diagnosis and management, especially before considering immunotherapy (PubMed Central 2020).
When should I order this test?
Order when you suspect tomato allergy, especially if symptoms recur after tomato ingestion or skin exposure. It's also recommended prior to immunotherapy planning or when investigating multiple food sensitivities. Early testing helps prevent severe reactions and unnecessary dietary restrictions.
How do I interpret the results?
IgE < 0.10 kU/L (Class 0)
- What it means: Negative – No allergy detected
- Typical action: No dietary restrictions needed
IgE 0.10–0.34 kU/L (Class 1)
- What it means: Borderline sensitization
- Typical action: Monitor symptoms, consult allergist
IgE 0.70–3.49 kU/L (Class 2)
- What it means: Probable allergy
- Typical action: Consider tomato avoidance
IgE 3.50–17.4 kU/L (Class 3)
- What it means: Strong positive reaction
- Typical action: Avoid tomatoes, carry epinephrine if prescribed
IgE 17.5–49.9 kU/L (Class 4)
- What it means: Very strong reaction
- Typical action: Strict avoidance, emergency action plan
IgE 50.0–99.9 kU/L (Class 5)
- What it means: Very high sensitization
- Typical action: Complete avoidance, specialist consultation
IgE ≥ 100 kU/L (Class 6)
- What it means: Extremely high level
- Typical action: Strict avoidance, comprehensive allergy management
Higher IgE classes correlate with stronger allergic reactions, but clinical context is essential for proper diagnosis and management planning.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting or medication restrictions are generally required. Wear clothing with easy access to veins for the blood draw. Continue taking any regular medications unless specifically advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial screening – Once when symptoms first appear
- Treatment monitoring – Every 6–12 months during immunotherapy
- Symptom changes – When reactions worsen or improve
- Follow-up testing – As recommended by allergist
Why early detection matters
Early detection reduces risk of severe reactions like anaphylaxis and prevents unnecessary dietary restrictions. Approximately 2-5% of the population has food allergies, with tomato sensitivity being less common but clinically significant (MDPI 2022). Timely diagnosis improves quality of life and lowers healthcare costs related to emergency care.
Related tests you may consider
Green Pepper Allergy IgE Blood Test — This test measures IgE antibodies to pepper to help identify allergic reactions. Since peppers and tomatoes are both part of the nightshade family, people allergic to one may also react to the other.
Potato Allergy IgE Blood Test — This test measures IgE antibodies to potatoes to help identify allergic reactions. Since potatoes and tomatoes are both part of the nightshade family, people allergic to one may also react to the other.
Total IgE Test — Evaluates overall allergic predisposition and helps interpret specific IgE results
